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TVDSB meets tonight to discuss plan for Tillsonburg schools

It's a win-win situation and the community should be happy. I hope they'll be happy." Oxford trustee Bill Mckinnon

TILLSONBURG- The last corner of the county to see public school reform will be thrown into a review process some time in the New Year.

The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is holding a special meeting Tuesday night in its London board offices to discuss the newest public version of the board's capital plan.

In Oxford County, the focus will be on Tillsonburg elementary schools, Oxford trustee Bill Mckinnon told the SentinelReview Monday.

"It's a win-win situation and the community should be happy. I hope they'll be happy," Mckinnon said during a telephone call.

Lassoed by the ARC will be all of Tillsonburg's elementary schools - Annandale, Maple Lane Public School, Rolph Street Public School and South Ridge Public School.

The senior administration's recommendation is to close Rolph Street Public and Maple Lane Public and build a new school on the west side of Tillsonburg. Annandale, which is now a Grade 7/8 school, will be converted into a junior kindergarten to Grade 8 school, along with South Ridge and the new school.

Although the exact address of the new school was not available at press time, the parcel of land on the west end was bought by the former Oxford County Board of Education and inherited by the Thames Valley board at amalgamation.

Mckinnon called South Ridge and Maple Lane "overcrowded" and said realignment of all the schools' populations were needed.

If the recommendation goes forward, close to $20 million would be pumped into the new school build, additions and renovations to the remaining schools, Mckinnon said.

Karen Dalton, who is in charge of operations services for the board, could not confirm the dollar figure but said major work would be required if trustees voted in favour of the recommendations.

Maple Lane was chosen for closure because of its proximity to Annandale while the facility on Rolph Street's age makes it inadequate for program needs.

The Rolph Street building has roots in the community dating as far back as 1872. The current building was built in 1912.

Reform in Tillsonburg is not the only target senior administration has its eyes set on during this round of reviews. An ARC process will be held for schools in London and West Elgin.

This round of ARCS is expected to begin in January and a board decision is expected by late 2012 or early 2013.